Planter



R. s. GEHR.

PLANTER. APPLlCATlON FILED AUG-2.1910. RENEWED MAR. 11,1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET n.

n l n S31/wanton Patented Dec. 20,

R. S. GEHR.

PLANTEH.

APPLICATION FILED Amm. Iglo. IIEIIEwED IIIIII. 11.1921.

R. S. GEHR.

PLANTER.

APPLICATION FILED 1116.2, 1910. RENEwED MAR.11.1921.

1,400,738, Patented Deu. 20, 192,1.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

'1W-5% ,14M M L/-Z y R. s.l GEHR.

PLANTER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-2.` 1910. RENEWED MAR. II, |921.

1 ,400,738, Patented Dec. 20, 1921.

60 ,5 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

fp Zlgf I (Lian- N' f l l y l l I Q/vilmeoaca 7/ f ,im we; editi i reir fr liliana RAY S. GEBR, Ol CLEVELAND, OHO.

5 ieccation or Le i ers 32e/tent.

IPLA'NTER.

Application filed .August 2, 191), Serial No. 575,156. Renewed March 11, 1,921.` `Serial No. 451,480.

To (AZZ whom it may comer/i.'

lle it known that l, RAY S. Gerin, a citi een of the United Statese residing at Cleveland, in the county oi' Cuyahoga and State of hio, have invented certain new and use- 't'ul Improvements in Planters, 01"' which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to seed planters and especially to ymachines adapted to the planting ol. corn.

One object of my invention is the provision oi an improved forniY ci machine adapted "to plant corn in hills with the individual seeds of each hill spaced several inches 'from each other so that each individual plant is allowed ample opportunity, both below and above ground. for development and growth.

Aiinother object oi my invention is the provision, in a machine such as referred to above oi' means by which the driver can readily vary the number of vseeds deposited in each hill.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a machine adapted to drill the seeds alone; two parallel lines a AFew inches apart so as to form a double row that can be cultivated and in other ways treated like a single row.

il 'further object oij my invention is the provision of a machine which adapted to plant the seeds in hills with the indii-fidual seeds spaced apart and which can readily be converted 'for drilling', either in double rows or in single rows.

rlhe manner in which the various obiects are attained andthe nature oi my improvements will be pointed out in detail in the following` description in which, for purposes oi illustration, l refer to the accompafiyinnr drawings showing a preferred ernmdiment of the invention.

the drawings.

Figure l is plan View oi the planter, some oi the parts being' broken away to g'zermit illustration on a large scale.

2 is a detail View in vertical section taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. l. Y

Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the seed sei)oral-ing` and dropping mechanisms.

Fic'. is a vertical section taken on the line il, l ot Fig. 3.

llipj. 5 is a plan view of a portion of the rng Y which supports theV seed ring'.

Patented @een Z, 192i.

Fig. in' is fragmentary sectional View taken on the line `G---6 of'Fig. i3. Y Fig. "s" is a similar View Vtaken on the li- -7 oi Fig. 3.

vnumber of seeds dropped in a hill v"may be varied.

Fig. ll is a plan view of the casting which supports the seed separating mechanism and hopper.

Fig. l2 is a side elevation of the same.

i3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line l3-i3 of Fig. 4l.

Fig. le is a detail plan view of the multiple dropping valve.

Fig. l'is a vertical section taken Von the line l5-l5 of Fig. i3.

Fig. 16 is a vertical section taken on the line 16-16 of Fig. 13.

i7 is a fragmentary sectional View showing; detail of the construction.

it will be seena on referring to Fig. l, that my improved planter is similar in general outline to Vmany ojli the check-row planters now in use. There is a main frame comprising' side bars 1T 2, which are united by a cross bar 3. and this frame is mounted upon an axle i having ground wheels 5, 5. These wheels, which are oit peculiar construction? will be referred to hereinafter.

ln iront of the main iframe is disposed a transverse frame consistineof main bars (i and i' which are connected at their ends by check head castings 8, 8 and at intermediate points by cross braces 9 and l0. The transversevfraine is pivotally connected to the main frame in the usualnianner by pivot pins 1iE il, which pass through the front ends of the frame bars l and 2, and lugs or ears for .ied on the braces 9 and 10, respectively.

i9. is a tongue suitably connected to the transverse iframe. This frame and the main frame are suitably connected by lever devices.I designated `as an entirety by 12a, which are adapted to raise `and lower `the 'front frame in the usual manner, z'. eg, so as to liit the front frame parts reeofthe ground, and to lower said parts and force the furrow-opening devices, presently to be described, into the ground. 1t will be understood that a drivers seat is suitably supported upon the main fra-me. This and other parts are not fully shown for the reason that, as to these features, any pre-` fered construction may be employed.

On the front transverse frame are mounted seed containers or hoppers vand separat- -ing mechanisms 13, 13, which will presently axle by a chain 15 which passes over anyA one of a series .ofV various sized sprocket wheels 16 on said axle and over a second sprocket wheel 17 which is rigidly connected to one element of a clutch device 18. By

moving the chain 15 from one to another of the sprocket wheels 16, the speed at whichV the sprocket wheel 17 is driven can be varied. The clutch 18 is of the type having a continuously driven member which turns freely onthe seeder shaft, a second member fast on the seeder shaft, and means controlled by the check fork devices for intermittently connecting and disconnecting the two said members to cause an intermittent rotation of the 'seedershaft Clutch devices of this character are well known and in common use, and inasmuch as any one' of many forms of these wellknown devices can be employed in my planter, 1 have not shown the clutch mechanism in detail. It will suflice to say that the clutch comprises Va continuously rotating part 19 whichv turns freely on the seeder shaft, and an intermittently moving part 20iwhich is fast on the seeder shaft. The part 20 carries a pawl which tends normally to engage the continuously rotating part to operatively connect it to the intermittently moving part 20. The clutch paw-l, however7 is normally prevented from engaging the continuously rotating part 19 bv an arm21 which is mounted. upon a rocker shaft 22 which carries at its extreme ends the check forks 23, 23. A coil spring 24, ywhich is connected *atV its front end to a downward extension of the arm 21 and at its rear end to the frame bar 7,`servesto rock the shaft 22, and with it, the arm 21 and the cheek forks 23, forward The arm 21 is thus normally held in the path of the dogs carried bythe intermittently moving ,part 20 of the clutch and connected to theclutch pawl. When one of these dogs is engaged by the arm 21, it is moved in a way to disengage the pawl from the continuously rotating part A19 of theV into operation. If the clutch is provided with but one dog to be engaged by the arm 21, the seeder shaft will be given a complete revolution at each actuation of the check fork. 1 prefer, however, to provide two such dogs, for reasons which will presently be explained and by disposing them diainetrically opposite each other, the seeder shaft is turned through a half revolution only at each actuation of the check fork.

Referring now to the seed separating devices, will be observed that the planter shown is of the two-row type, and inasmuch as the seed separating and depositing mechanisms are in all essential Vrespects dupli Cates of each other, a description of one will sufiice. The seed hopper and the seed separating devices at the bottom thereof are supported upon an annular base plate 25. 0n the inner part of this base plate is rotatably supported an annular bevel gear 26, the base plate 25 being formed with a channel 27 to receive the teeth of saidY gear. 28 is a bevel pinion onthe seeder shaft which meshes with and drives the gear 26. A ring 29 is mounted upon the base plateV 25 and on the ring 29 is mounted in turn a seed plate 3() which may be and preferably is in the form of a ring as shown. This seed ringis provided with'one or more teeth 31 adapted to be engaged by a lug 26al on the gear 26 so that the seed ring will turn with the gear.V The seed ring shown is of the well known edo'e drop type having seed cells 32 separated oy upstanding teeth 33.

The hopper base comprises an outer ring part 34 which rests upon the ring 29, and a crowned bottom wall 35 which is separated at its edges from the ring part 34 by an an? nular space in which is disposed the upstandmg teeth 33 of the seed ring. The hopper` base is preferably cast integrally,

the two parts 34 and 35 being united by Yries a swinging bolt 41 with a thumb nut 42 which is adapted .to engage a slotted lug formed on the hopper base part 34. loosening the thumb nut 42 and throwing its bolt out of engagement with the lug 43, the hopper base can be swung forward uncovering the seed plate and gear and their supporting parts, so` that theseed plate can readily be removed when it is desired to substitute another. It is sometimes desirable to swing the hopper forward when it contains seed, and to insure the lifting` of the seed ring and its supporting ring 29 so as to prevent spilling of the seed, a spring i leones catch se is provided which locks the ring 29a'to the hopper base (see Fig. 17).

in carrying; out my invention, l provide the seed container with. e plurality ot discharge openings for the seeds, und provide av plurality ot duct-s to conduct the seeds down Ward to the ground. The discharge openings, as shown, are disposed at 'tour equidis tant points around the peripher;v oi" the ses-d plate. thebase casting; 25 being termed et these tour points with holes or discharge openings 4:5. e6, if? and e8. und the being,` vformed with ifour openings which ister 1with the openings of the base castine 25. ln the present instance the rii 9 formed with aperture 4:9 which registers with the hole 45, While the other three openings are in the torno. oit slots, es shown et in Fig. 5. The purpose ot providing slots rather than apertures at the. three dischail openings Will presently appear.

Cut-off und knock-out devices are disposed at euch ot the discharge points. The cutoil device is in the orrn ot dop; 5l pivotelly mounted on pin 52 which is carried b v an inclosing casingl The :tree end ot the mit-oit' dog is designed to ride over the np*- per edges oft the seed plate teeth and is pressed yicldinn'ly downward. by spring 54.*-, The knock-out device is pivoted in a similar nien-ner at 5G, and is pressed downward et its tree end by a spring' 57. This kno/fl; out device rides upon the upper edges ot the seed rino; teeth und drops into each seed celi as the letter passes under it in the usual manner tor the purpose et effecting; e. proper discharge ot the seed carried by the cell, it being` understood. oiE course that the active l of the knockout is disposed directif disch opening'. rIhe knock-out ed With u op nose or lug a adapted to engage e lug or ilirojoction 53 on the .casing; to lirnit the downward moi/'ement oit the know-out. The casinp` ,vhioh incloses the cut-oil' und lznocleout devices is open on its outer side, 's shown in 8. and this open side et the casing; is disposed ageinst the upright inner Wall ot the upper base ring` S11-,ins is shown in Figs. 3 end 6, the seid inner well. being; made vertical points .adjacent Jehe cut-oit and knock-ont devices to receive said casing, though it inclined si inte.` iediate points facilitate the feedingL` ot the seeds into the Cells of the seed ring. The casingr 53 is sez-ured position. by :i screw bolt 58. The cirruinterentisl pitch distance oit the cells ot the seed ring' is a tuctor ot tie circun distance betiv the discharge opening: e u.. therefore, es the seed ring is t .tnt-xd. tour seed cells pass simultsneousv under the tour lznocleout decorresponding simultan@Y 'A by viccsnnd there i.. :l ons discharge et V.tour seeds.

in the i ef/erred construction shown the imminent-55 overlies the cut-ott 51.. so that the casing's 53 can he mede short circuitentially Aleaving is much spsce es possible between thein in which the cells oit theseed ring` een till. its shown in Fig. 3 this latter space is approximately twice the circumferential pitch ot' the seed ring, so that the time required for each seed cell to pees through said space is approximately that required 'for the inechine to trsvel twice the distance between hills; and during such pas sage of the cell through the said kspace the seed ring` is stopped and started twice.

rllheY .seeds7 "when sirnulteneously discharged, ssebovc stated, pass through the discharge openings in the ring 29 end the bese casting 25 into tour upright tubular conduits 597 59 end 60, GO. The base plate 25 rests directlyY upon the uprights 59 end 60 und is rigidljg7 securecL to them by bolts 6l, 6l, which pass through lugs 69,. (i2, on the bese plete, and lugs G3 63 on the uprights. rllhe upright venduits ere rigidlY secured in suitable manner to the treme bers 6 and 7.

r1Ehe outside coni'luits 59, 59, entends down- Wurd to a 'furrow opening runner bei, und et the lower ends ci the conduits 69 is disposed e.. similer runner Y rilhe lower ends oi the conduits ere controlled by dropping Valves and, in the construction shown7 the four valves are inrrned b v e. single plete-like ring; (iti having four equally spaced slightly elon` gated openings 6?.; 67 which ere desie; be moved into and out of register with the passages in the uprights 59 und 60.

rlhe valve ring 66 is infflosed in easing. the upper psrt G8 et which7 es shown in the drawings (see Fig. l5), is cest integrally With the uprights 59 end 60; The lower port G9 of the valve ringa casing' is cast inteorally with the coreperts ZO ot the tivo runners 64.) and 65, the two parte ot the casing; beingrigidly secured together by bolts 71,71'.

The runners ere preferably made es shown, that is. oi'f :in inner Wrought metal plate 72 Twhich is straight throughout the greater part ofits Vlength. end an outer 'plate l?) ot similar inatei 'ai which entends parellel with the inner plete 70 throughout the greater pert of 't .s length.) but at its front end extends oblidnel'Y end merges with the plete 72, the tivo being); preiernbljvT Weided together. ner is termed as shown in Fi being;- die nosed between the i'ilutes 72 and 73 end rig/ y idlyT secured as byiivcts le to seid plates. The fore part 79 of the runner is torni-ed with passages Z5 and 76. Whi n torni oontinustions of the upright ducts 59 or 69. The 'forward parts et the runner pistes T2 are curif'ed upward and at their iront ends bent inward as at 72?, 72, and secured together. A bruce if? extent troni the .tr-ont end ott the two runners upward und reer- Ward to the trarne bero. The lobject et The core or cesting- 70 ot the runf y ned to d tion, and it will be noted that the l'our hoops iceive it.

ina-king the inside runner plates 'Z2 straight throughout the active part oi their length, is to prevent crowding and packing ci the soil between the runners. The runners thus Yformed are adapted when in working posiwith these teeth, the gear 7 9 being disposed fwithin the valve ring casing which is' enlarged, as shown in Figs. i3 and 16, to re- The gear 79 is turned by an upright shaft or spindle 8() which carries a bevel pinion 81 at its upper end which meshes with a similar pinion 82 on the check fork rocker shaft 22. il.. brace bar 83, which is bolted to the traino bars 6 and 7, carries a bearing 811i for the spindle 80, and a bearing 85 for the rocker shaft. The connections are such that when the check fork is swung rearward lby its engagement with a tappet on a check wire, the spindle 8O is turned andthe segmental gear moved far enough to move the valve 66 from its normal "closed position (see i3) to a position with the valve openings 67, 67, in register each with its corresponding seed duct- 59 or 60.V rlfhen, as the its normal position by the spring 2e, the dropping valves are simultaneously returned to their normal, closed position.

It is clear, troni the foregoing description and the construction shown in the drawings, particularly Figs. l and l5, that the :four seeds discharged troni the seed hopper and received upon the dropping valves termed by the ring 66,.will upon the actuation or" said valves in the manner described, be deposited in the soil, two in'each oithe two iurrows formed by the two runners 6e and 65, and at points equidistant from each other. Preferably, the seeds should be dcposited about sin inches apart.

Any preferred torni of device may be used tocover the seeds, but in the construction shown, l have designed the ground wheels 5,' 5, to perform this function. lt will be observed that these wheels are oit a double construction, the'two riin sections being disposed in line with the two iurrow opening runners ot the adiacent planting mechanism so that each section oi the wheel covers the seeds dropped through the runner directly in iront of it. ln 1 oi the drawings, l have shown the run or the lett wheel inV secor rings 86, 86 and 87, 87 arerigidlyconnected by suitably shaped cross bars or yokes 88.v Shorter transverse bars 89 Vare Vrigidly secured to the bars 88, and to the check 'fork is returned tov bars 89 are riveted the spokes 90 o' the wheel. The inside hoops or rings 87 are preferably made somewhat wider and also larger in diameter thanthe outside rings 86, thus throwing the major part of the load upon the inner rings 87 which are more di rectly connected to the spokes. It will be seen that the two adjacent rings 87 of the wheel form a central ridge part that tracksl between the two urrows of the row and tends to crowd the soil outward toward each furrow, while the outside rings 86forrn lat eral ridge parts that track on the outer sides of the two furrows and tend to crowd the soil inward.

l have set forth in the foregoing description a complete operative mechanism for separating, dropping and covering the seeds, but it may be desirable in soils oi varying quality and character to vary the number oi seeds droped in a hill, and it is also desirable to be able to suitably drill the seeds. To accomplish these results, I provide the following devices: Thering 29, which supports theseed ring, has three of its seed discharge openings in the form of slots or notches 50, as previously stated, these slots being"V disposed above the three discharge openings 46, i7 and i8 of the base casting 25. The hopper base ring 34: also is formed with notches 91 (see Fig. 6) which register with the slots 50. In each of the slots 50 is arranged a iiat plate-like slide or valve 92 which rests upon the upper face of the base casting 25, vas shown in F 6. The slides 92 are normally in the position indicated in 6 with the discharge passage through the ring 29 and the base casting 25 open for the passage of seeds discharved from the seed ring. But by moving the slides radially inward, the Vdischarge passage can be closed, and as theV width ot each slide is equal to the width oi the slot 50 in which it is disposed, it will be seen that when the slide is rnoved inward, the ring 29 is made imperiorate, so to speak, so that seeds advanced by the seed ring to the point of discharge will pass sinoothly over the slide 92 and the discharge will not be ell'ected. It is desirable in such case to render the knockout inoperative as otherwise it would strike the seed and possibly crack it. To do this, l torni the slide with an upstanding arin or finger 93 whichhas a beveled end' adapted to engage the beveled lower side ofthe stop nose 55a oi the knock-outso as to raise the latter and hold it in an inoperative position. @i course. if the slide is inoved inward when the knock-otitis resting upon the upper edge ot one oi the seed ring teeth, the linger 93 will pass freely under the stop nose 55a. Y

To render the three slides 92 operable at the will oi the driver, each slide is provided with an upstanding lug or pin 94 which cooperates with a cam ring 95 slidably supported upon the base casting 35. This ring is iiornied with cani slots 96, 97 and 98 into .vhich the Vpins De ot' the three slides extend (see Fig. The three cani slots are substantialljY equal :in length, but it will be observed that the slot 96 has its active or cani part proper at one end. the el it 97 has its cani part half wav hotv'eo two ends, while the slot 98 has its cani part at one end. The relative arrangement ot the three slots is such that it the ring is turned through one step, the slide engaging the slot 96 is closed7 while movement of the ring` through a second step closes the slide engaged by the slot 97, and iinal movement through a third .step closes the slide engaged by slot QS. 'lt is clear that it one oi: the slides is closedy onliY three seeds will be dropped in a hill. li two slides are closed, two seeds will be dropped in a. hill, and finally by closing three slides, the mechanism will be adapted tor drilling; in single rows. it beine` understood that in such case the check 'forks are thrown back and secured in inoperative position in the well known inanner so that the dropping valves are held open and the seeder shafts caused to rotate continuously. By closing` two ci the slides and turning the check iorks back to inoperative position the machine is adapted to drill the seeds in the two turrows so as to form a double row.V

To 'facilitate the adjusti'nent of the slides 92, the Yfollowing operating` devices are pro- Vvided. 99 is a bar or link which extends 'from one seed hopper to the other, and is connected at each end by means ot a bolt l0() to one of the Cain rings 95. The base plate is formed with a slot 101 through which the said bolt 100 extends. 102 is a toot lever iliivoted at its front end on the 'traine bar 6. and having a pin and slot connection at 108 with the shifting` bar 99. The loot lever engages a bracket 10d on the 'traine bar 7, which bracket is provided with tour notches to receive the toot lever aufl hold it in the four positions corresponding to the 'four possible positions ot the cam rings 95. The nunierals 1.. 2. 5%. 4: are displayed onthe lujacket 1041 above the several notches. and indicate the positions et 4the loot lever to secure the droppingof one. two. three or four seeds.

l have hereinbefore referred to the desirahilitv oi' usino' a partial rotation clutch for transmitting power to the seeder sha'tt. m advantage of such a clutch is connectlll@ ed with the `li'acts that the possible number ot cells in the seed plate is liinited and that each cell in the plate coperates with a pluralitv ot discharge openings in the bottom o? the seed container. llllith a full rotation clutch it would be necesar'v, when the machine was used for drilling3 to have extremely large sprocket wheels on the aXle and to drive the seeder shaft at very high speed in order to eiect close drilling of the seeds. rlhe only alternative to such unduly "i speed would be the use oit'seed plates with a very sniall number ot cells :tor hill pianti; g, but this would be undesirable be cause it v-rould reduce the period, in relation to *he travel oit the machine, for each cell to pa throu h its il xgspaee between the ouh oliis. using the half rotation clutch for the hill planting, the angular speed oij the. seeder shai't is correspondingly reduced for drilling.

rilhe operation of my improved.planter will readiljv' be` understood troni the -iioregoing description. in hill planting, the machine moves forward across the field, the active check fork on engaging a. wire tappet, is swung backward, and the clutch mechanisni is thrown into operation, thus causing a halt revolution of the seeder shaft The relation of the gears between the seeder shaft and the seed ring is such that the nioveinent of the seeder shaft causes the seed ring to advance an amount equal to the distance between two adjacent seed cells. This niovenient or" the seed ring carries one oi the seed cells past each of the seed discharge openings so that tour seeds (assuming that the mechanism is set to drop tour seeds in a hill) are simultaneously discharged `from the seed ring and pass downward through the upright ducts 39 and 60, and are deposited upon the dropping valves at the lower end ci" said. ducts, said valves havinov closed j ust betere the discharge of the seeds 100 'troni the hopper. @n the next actuation oi the cheek fork. the four seeds thus deposited on the dropping valves are discharged and dropped at tour substantialli?Y eouidistant points in the turrows niade by the two run- 105 ners. and at the saine timel the seed ring; is again. set in motion to cause the discharge ot four more seeds in the manner above described. which seeds, in turn, pass down and are deposited on the dropping; valvesjust 110 a'lter their return to closed position.

Thus the cvcle of operations vis continuously repeated.

it at an),7 time the driver wishes to vary the nuinber of seeds dropped, it is onlvT necessary to shii't the toot lever 102 and thus close one or more of the slides to render inoperative one or more of the discharge openings.

lit' it is desired to drill the seedsinsingle 120 rows it is onlyr necessary Jfor the driver to throw the check for is back and secure them in inoperative position. and set the foot lever 102 in the notch marked 1. It the distance apart at which the seeds are then drilled is not suitable, it can be varied bis moving' the chain 1.5 to a drive sprocket of dil'erent diameter, or by substituting seed plates with ay different number of cells, or by making both these changes.

CII

To drill in double rovvs the handling oi the machine is the same as for single rovi7 drilling eXcept that the foot lever 102 is set in the notch marked 2.7

In the preferred construction Which I have set forth, a separate discharge from the hopper is provided tor each oi the ducts or passages through which the seeds'are conducted individually to the soil. l-lovvever, it is possible to provide means for distributing the seeds discharged through one `discharge opening` to tivo or more duc-ts or passages leading to the soil, and thus reduce the number of points at which the seeds are discharged from the hopper. A construction of this character is shown in my copending application, Serial No, 261,794, filed on the 9th day of November, l9l8.

It Will be understood that the construction shown and described is merely illustrative of the invention and that various changes in the construction, arrangement and relative dimensions of the parts may be resorted to as conditions may require Without departing from the invention as defined in the claims which tollovv.

lVhat I claim is l. In a seed planter, the combination oi a frame, Wheels supporting the frame, a container for seeds having a plurality oi discharge openings, mechanism for separating individual seeds from the mass in the container and delivering them singly into the respective discharge openings` a plurality'oi conduits adapted to receive the seeds from the discharge openings and deposit them in spaced relation to each other along tivo parallel lines, a dropping valve in each of the said conduits, adapted to be actuated intermittently or to be held continuously open,

lpower transmission devices between the said Wheels and the said seedA separating mechanismV adapted to operate either intermittently or continuously, check Wire actuated devices for operating the dropping valves and for causing the said power transmission devices to periodically drive lthe said seed separating mechanism 'for period necessary to cause the discharge of one seed into each of the said conduits, and means for rendering all but one of the discharge openings inoperative, whereby, when the dropping'valves are held open and the power transmission devices operate continuously, the machine is adapted to drill the seeds one at a time along one of the said parallel lines.

2. Ina seed planter, the combination oi" a frame, Wheels supporting the frame, a container for seeds` a plurality oi conduits adapted to receive individual seeds discharged from the ycontainer deposit them in the ground along two parallel` lines in spaced relation to each other. mechanism for separating individual seeds from the mass in the container and delivering them singly into the respective conduits, a dropping valve in each ot the said conduits adapted to be actuated intermittently or to he held continuously open, power transmission devices between the said Wheels and the said seed separating mechanism adapted to operate either intermittently or continuously, check Wire devices `tor' operating the dropping valves-and for causing the said pov-.ier transmission devices to periodically drive the said seed separating mechanism for a period necessary to cause the discharge of one seed into each of the said conduits, and means. for rendering said seed separating and delivering mechanism inoperative with respect to all but one of the conduits, whereby, when the dropping valves are held open and the power transmission devices operate continuously, the machine is adapted to drill the seeds along one of the said parallel lines;

In a seed planter, the combination of a seed container, three or more conduits leading from the seed container downward and adapted to deposit seeds in a definite spaced relation along tive parallel lines spaced from each other to form a double rovv, dropping valves at the lower ends of the conduits adapted either te be actuated intermittently lior hill planting or to he maintained inoperative in open position for drilling, means for intermittently operating said valves, means for separating seeds from the mass in the container anc discharging one seed at a time into each conduit, means for operating the said seed separating and discharging` means either intermittently for hill plantingor continuously Afor drilling, and means for rendering the sai discharging means inoperative With respect to all but one conduit on each oi the said parallel lines when the seed separating means is operated ccntinuously for drilling.

1l. In a seed planter, the combination of a seed centainer, three or more separate conduits leadingl downward from said container and adapted to deposit seeds in a delinitc spaced relation along tvvo parallel lines to 'form a double row, dropping valves at the lciver ends ci said conduits adapted either to he actuated intermittently for hill plantin er to he maintained inoperative in open position ier drilling, means for sepa-rating seeds treni the mass in the container and dismeans tor operating the seed separating and discharging means either interttor drilling, means for rendering the said vand means for intermittently operating the ing ene seed at time into each conrmittently for hill 'planting or continuously i eco,

dropping1 Valves, the last mentioned operatingmeans being independent of the said separating and discharging means, whereby said ralres can be secured in open position tor drilling.

5. ln a, seed planter7 the combination of :i trame, Wheels siupporting;- the trame7 a conrainer tor seeds havingv e plurality ot discharge openings7 mechanism tor separating individual seeds from the mass in the container and delivering` them singlv into the respective discharge openingsA a pluralitv ot conduits adapted to receive the seeds from the discharge openings and deposit them in spaced relation to each other along tivo parallel lines a dropping valve in each of the said conduits adapted to be actuated intermittently or to beheld continuously open., pouver unransinission devices between the said Wheels and the said seed separatingx mechanism afapted to operate either intermittentlv or continuously. check Wire actuated devices tor operating the dropping valves and 'tor causing the said power transmission devices to periodically drive the said seed separating' mechanism tor a. period necessarv to cause the disch arge ot one seed into each ot the said conduits and means Y.tor rendering inoperative all ot the said discharo'e openings but one on each ot the said parallel lines .vherebjf, when the droppins valves are held open and the power trans mission devices operate continuouslv, the machine is adapted to drill the seeds one at n time along' each ot the said parallel lines so to torni a double row.

ln a seed planten the combination ot a traine Wheels supporting the trarne. a container tor seeds. a plurality ot conduits adapted to receive individual seeds discliara'ed trom the container and deposit 'th in the ground along tivo parallel lines .in spaced relation to each other mechanism tor separating individual seedsy from the mass in the container and delivering them sinolv into the respective conduits, a cropping valve in each oiz the said conduits adapted to be actuated intermittently or to be held continuously open power transmission derives lwtween the said wheels and the said seed separatin;y mechanism adapted to operate either intermittentl;7 or continuously. checlr Wire devices tor operating' the drop pine' valif'es and 'for causing the said poivc-r transmision devices to periodicallT drive the said seed separating mechanism. toria period necessarv to cause the discharge of one seed into each ot the said conduits, and means tor rendering the said seed separating and delivering` mechanism inoperative with respect to allthe conduits except tivo which deposit their seeds respectivel'v on the separare parallel. lines. Wherebv, when the droiipinn valves are held open and the power transmission devices operate continuously, the machine is adapted to drill the seeds along the said parallel lines.

'4"'. ln a seed planter. the combinationl ol means -for con-toning' the seeds, means :tor mingl tv'o closelyv adjacent paallel turit :tor eceiving seeds nerins and depositinp)` 'e turroivs, and means 1l 4'ndividual seeds and discl- -r the conttuning means n 1 condui s in such mannerV that their are A osited one at a time at substantially unitorm space intervals suitable tor drilling in each ot the said. iiurroivs to torni a doulole drilled roiv.

S. ln seed planter., the combination of means tor containin@- the seeds means for termine` two closel,v adjacent parallel turro\vs separate conduits tor receinfine` seeds troni the contamina' means and depositing them in the respective turroivs, means ltor separating; individuel seeds and dischargine` them from the containing means into the said conduits iu such manner that they are deo^sited one at a time at substantially unit' Y space intervals suitable tor drilling in each the turrows to form a double drilled row, and means tor werving the rate at which the seeds are deposited in relation to the travel ot the machine.y

9. ln a. seed planten the combinationot a seed container,n separate conduits arranged to receive seeds from. the container and de posit them alonetivo parallel lines spaced Atroni each other so as to torni a double row,

r.means comprising a rotary seed pl ate removablv niounted in the container tor separatino; individual seeds from the mass in the container and chaining; them into the conduits so that one seed at time is de-` positen on each ot the parallel lines@ mech anisni tor drivin@ the seed plate at a unitorni Vspeed ai oted to cause the depositing ot the individu .l seeds at suhstantiallv unitorm spaced intervals suitable for drilling;s and means tor varjinp; the speed of rotation ot said seed plate. i

l0. ln a seed planten the combination ot n seed containen separate conduits arranged to recei seeds 'trom the container and deposit them alonev two parallel lines spaced trom each other so as to form a double row, means `For separatinfr individual seeds `trom the mass in the container and discharging; them into the conduits so that thev are` deposited one seed at a time on each of said parallel lines et substantiallv uniform space intervals suitable tor drilling at substancitiallv unitorrolv spaced intervals, and means tor verving' the rate nt which the seeds are deposited on each of. the parallel lines in re lation to the travel ot' the machine.

lit ln a seed planter., the combination ot seed cor* ine-r. .conduits tor receivingF seeds trom the container and depositing them along two parallel lines spaced from each other so as to form a double row, and means for separating individual seeds from the mass in the container and discharging them into the said conduits in such manner that they are deposited one at a time on each ot the parallel lines, the said means comprising a seed plate removably mounted in the container and having seed cells that successively move to a point of discharge.

l2. ln a seed planter, the combination of a seed container, conduits tor receiving seeds from the container and 'depositing them along two parallel lines spaced from each other so as to form a double row,

'means for separating indivadual seeds from the mass in the container and discharging them into the said conduits in such manner that they are deposited one at a time on each otthe para lellines, at substantially uniform space intervals suitable for drilling, the said means comprising a seed plate removably mounted in the container and having seed cells that successively move to a point of discharge, and means :''or varying the rate at which the seeds are deposited in relation to the travel of the machine.

13. In a seed planter, the combination of means for containing the seeds, means for forming two closely adjacent parallel furrows, separate conduits for receiving seeds from the containing means. and depositing them in the respective furrows, means for separating` individual seeds and discharging them from the containing means into the said conduits in such manner Vthat they are deposited one at atime in each of the said furrows, and means operable at will for rendering inoperative the devices which cause the depositing oi' seeds in one of the two furrows.

le. ln a seedplanter, the combination or means for containing the seeds, means for torming two closely adiacent parallel furrows, separate conduits for receiving seeds from the containing means and depositingv them in the respective furrows, means for separating individual seeds and discharging Ythem from the containing means into the said conduits in such manner that they are deposited one at a time at substantially uniformly spaced intervals in each oi the said furrows, and means operable at'will forrendering inoperative the devices which cause depositing of seeds in one of the two urrows.V

15. 'In a seed planter, the combination of means for containing the seeds, means for forming two closely adjacent parallel furrows, separate conduits for receiving seeds from the containing means and depositing them in the respective furrows, means tor separating individual seeds and discharging them from the containing means into the said conduits in such a manner that they are deposited one at a time Vin each ot the iurrows, means 'for varying the rate at which the seeds are deposited in relation to the travel oi:p the machine, and means Voperable will rendering inoperative the'devices 70 which cause depositing of seeds in one or the two urrows. Y

16. ln a seed planter, the combination of a seed container, separate conduits arranged to receive seeds :tom the container and deposit them along two parallel lines spaced from each other so as to form a double row, means comprising a rotary seed plate removably mounted in the container ttor separating individual seeds from the mass in the container and discharging them into the conduits so that one seed at a time is deposited on each ot the parallel lines, means lor varying the speed ci' rotation ot slid' seed plate, and means operable at will for rendering inoperative the devices which cause the depositing orn seeds on one of the parallel lines.

17. in a seed planter, the combination of a seed container, separate conduits arranged to receive seeds from the container and deposit them along two parallel linesspaced from each other so as to Vtorm a double row, means tor separating individual seeds from the mass in the container and discharging them into the conduits so that one seed at a time is deposited on each oi. the parallel lines, means for varying the rate at which the seeds are deposited on each of the parallel lines in relation to the travel of the machine, and means operable at will 'for rendering inoper- 100 ative the devices which cause the depositing of seeds on one of the parallel lines.

18. In a seed plantenthe combination of a seed container, separate conduits arranged to receive seeds from the container and deposit 105 them along two parallel lines spaced `from each other so as to form a double row, Ymeans tor separating individual seeds from the mass in the container and discharging themV into 'the conduits so that they `are deposited 110 on each of said parallel lines at substantially uniformly spaced intervals, means for varv ing the rate at which the seeds are-deposited on each of the parallel lines in relation to the travel of the machine, and means operable at 115 will 'for rendering inoperative the devices which cause the depositing of seeds on one oi the parallel lines.

19. ln a seed planter, the combination of a container for the seeds, seed separating` mech- 120 anism comprising a plate 'formed with seed cells, a plurality of openings for Ythe discharge oi seeds from cells of the seedplate, cut-off and knock-out devices arranged at each of said discharge openings, and means SL25 controllable at will' for closing one or more of the discharge openings and 4'for rendering its or their knock-out devices` inoperative.

20. In a seed planter, the combination of a container for the seeds, seed separating mech- 130 anism comprising a plate having seed cells, the container having a plurality of openings for the discharge of seeds from the cells of the seed plate, a device in connection with each ot two or more of the discharge openings for closing same, and a common operating means for said devices adapted to actuate them successively.

2l. ln a seed planter, the combination of a container for the seeds, seed separating mechanism comprising a plate having seed cells, the container having a plurality of openings for the discharge of seeds from the cells of the seed plate, a device in connection with each o1"4 two or more of the discharge openings for closing same, a circular plate operatively connected to each of said devices, and means for actuating said circular plate.

22. ln a seed planter, the combination of a seed container, a plurality of conduits for receiving the seeds from the container and depositing them in spaced relation in the ground, means for separating individual seeds from the mass in the container and discharging them into the conduits, devices adapted to be operated by a check wire for controlling the operation of the seed separat ing means, a dropping valve plate mounted at the lower ends of the conduits to turn about an upright axis, and driving connections comprising an upright shaft operatively connected at its lower end to the valve plate and at its upper end to the check wire operated devices.

23. In a planter, the combination of seed separating mechanism, devices for dropping the separated seeds in a hill comprising a plurality of conduits for conducting the seeds oi each hill to the ground, and a pair of fun row opening runners at the lower ends of said conduits, said runnersl being arranged side by side and spaced 'from each other and having their front parts laterally controlled and the soil engaging parts of their adjacent sides parallel to each other, whereby clogging of the soil between `the runners is avoided.

ln testimony whereof I affix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

RAY S. GEHR.

l/Vitnesses:

N. @Unfrrs LAMMONT, A. G. RUssnLL.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent N o. 1,400,738, granted December 20, 1921, upon the application of Ray S. Gebr, of Cleveland, Ohio, for an improvement in Planters, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 90, for the Word extends read extend; page 9, line 43,

claim 23, for the Word controlled read contracted; and that the said Letters Patent should be read With these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the oase in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 31st day of January, A. D., 1922.

WM. A. KINNAN,

[SEAL] Acting Commissioner' of Patents. 

